Is Afrocentricity Marginalized in Social Work Education? A Survey of HBSE Instructors

Abstract

This study looked at social work HBSE instructors' use, knowledge, and support of Molefi Asante's Afrocentricity paradigm. A sample of HBSE instructors (N = 85) at accredited social work programs reported both their Afrocentric knowledge and level of professional support for Afrocentric thought. Results show a vast majority of the respondents do not teach Afrocentric content. In addition, a majority are unfamiliar with Asante's paradigm and do not support most Afrocentric statements relevant to social work ethics and practice. The lack of knowledge and support for Afrocentricity among HBSE educators indicates the paradigm may be theoretically marginalized in social work curricula. This is the first empirical study supporting the assertion that Afrocentricity is marginalized in social work education.

KEYWORDS:

• Afrocentricity
• African-centered
• HBSE theory
• HBSE curriculum

Notes

Note.*Survey statements ending with an asterisk (False*) are items which do not reflect the Afrocentric position. The “Knowledge” responses of incorrect and correct percentages indicate the respondent's knowledge of the actual Afrocentric position. The “Support” responses reflect the support and no support percentages for the Afrocentric perspective of the survey statement.

Note.*Survey statements ending with an asterisk (False*) are items which do not reflect the Afrocentric position. The “Knowledge” responses of incorrect and correct percentages indicate the respondent's knowledge of the actual Afrocentric position. The “Support” responses reflect the support and no support percentages for the Afrocentric perspective of the survey statement.

Note.*Survey statements ending with an asterisk (False*) are items which do not reflect the Afrocentric position. The “Knowledge” responses of incorrect and correct percentages indicate the respondent's knowledge of the actual Afrocentric position. The “Support” responses reflect the support and no support percentages for the Afrocentric perspective of the survey statement.

Note.*Survey statements ending with an asterisk (False*) are items which do not reflect the Afrocentric position. The “Knowledge” responses of incorrect and correct percentages indicate the respondent's knowledge of the actual Afrocentric position. The “Support” responses reflect the support and no support percentages for the Afrocentric perspective of the survey statement.

Note.*Survey statements ending with an asterisk (False*) are items which do not reflect the Afrocentric position. The “Knowledge” responses of incorrect and correct percentages indicate the respondent's knowledge of the actual Afrocentric position.